Un amateur difficile c. 19th century

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Un amateur difficile," from around the 19th century, what do you make of it? There’s a particular energy radiating from it. Editor: Yes, it's got a real satirical bite! The "difficult amateur" is clearly unimpressed with the salon and even the ham. I find myself wondering about that backdrop though. Is that really the salon, rendered in frantic lines, or just a mental projection of his dissatisfaction? Curator: Precisely! I love your reading of it. Look at the contrast: those heavy curtains framing a frenetic jumble of framed works behind. Could that not symbolize the "establishment" against his own personal taste and digestion. Editor: The curtains almost feel like they’re boxing him in with these terrible artworks. What do you think Daumier is trying to say about art criticism or connoisseurship here? Curator: I think Daumier brilliantly exposes the absurd theatricality of it all. The "amateur" isn’t engaging with art on a soulful level. He is simply performing criticism, even about ham! Notice how he seems more concerned with performing being unimpressed, rather than genuine engagement with the art...or the poor meat. He’s almost comical! Editor: So it’s more about the act of critiquing, not the art itself? That’s a brilliant perspective! I hadn’t considered that element of performance. Curator: I find the beauty lies precisely in the fact that, while poking fun at an arrogant art-lover, he makes a serious, poignant observation on society at large. How can we dare to make genuine connections if all we concern ourselves with is appearing 'cultured'?! Editor: That makes Daumier a very astute and somewhat grumpy observer. It makes me think about our own perspectives and whether we are performative sometimes! Thanks!